Twelfth Dream: Mankeyshines and Snapshots [Action/Video]

[rainsrespite]

Video:

[A new year, and a whole mixed bag of revelations and resolutions are weighing on Yuuna. It's been a while since she made any formal broadcasts, and seated in Ranger HQ, she idly flips on the Warp Band and just starts talking.]

Hey everyone. Got a little bit new news, personal stuff. Figured I'd just announce it all at once. First of all, I got a promotion. I'm the 3rd Division leader now. My old one retired, and I got some recognition for past service. So, I'll probably be around Union a little bit more than usual. Heh. Paperwork.

Moreover, I've been named the Ranger Liason to the Seekers. Most of you can imagine why.

[She smiles wryly, knowing certain parties are going to like that.]

Second, given my new job, I'm supposed to officially announce that my division is officially recruiting. We pay alright, and you'd be working directly for me. If you're interested, or have further questions about the Rangers in general, feel free to stop by HQ. I'll be around late.

Ranger HQ:

[And true to her word? She is. If you have questions that won't work over the Warp Band, Yuuna will be there until dusk.]


Action, Apartment:

[And after hearing this particular announcement, a certain Pokemon of hers is up to no good. Turnip, the Monferno, is so excited by hearing about the promotion that he decides to bake a cake or something.

Something is right, because he's completely incapable of cooking, and it's not long before a billowing cloud of smoke pours out of Yuuna and Merrill's apartment and the Pokemon are forced out into the street. Alarms go off, and the Monferno bolts for it on principle. The fire is dealt with pretty quickly by Uzushio, but the smoke seems to linger somehow...creating quite the scene outside as a panicked Monferno runs back and forth in confusion, grabbing random passersby and gesticulating wildly, jabbering away. Help! Help! The boss is going to kill himmmmm!]

Comments

[rainsrespite]

...From the Savior, then? On Salvation Day?

[She can piece that much together, from the scraps of info she does have. This shouldn't exist. But it does. Just like Maka's photograph, or Ar'athalan.]

[wise_maiden]

... yes, I received it from a mysterious benefactor on Salvation.

[Some poking around had unearthed some of those rumors, but she wasn't entirely convinced.]

[rainsrespite]

Then you know this shouldn't exist, right?

[It really shouldn't.]

[wise_maiden]

[She shrugs a little.]

If people didn't choose to investigate the improbable, they wouldn't get very far. Most don't even get the opportunity.

[rainsrespite]

You don't have to tell me that. I'm interested. It's why I do what I do.

And that's not entirely true. Most people don't take the opportunity, but it's there.

[wise_maiden]

Barring circumstances, yes. [Obviously, the older woman hadn't grown up in an occupied city.] But why ask the question, then?

[rainsrespite]

To drive home the point.

[Yuuna'd grown up in Union, and was restricted in other ways, until she'd made a very big choice.]

This photograph is important. If you have no objections, I'd like to sketch a copy for our records.

[wise_maiden]

I knew that bringing it here would invite that possibility, so yes, you're welcome to do so.

[It's almost a laugh, how much that alone goes against Sanctuary upbringing.]

[rainsrespite]

I appreciate it.

[She takes out three things. The first is a pen, the second a sketch, and the third is a small envelope that she tosses at Raine.]

For the trouble. And give me maybe...ten minutes and I'll get it copied.

[wise_maiden]

[She blinks a few times, a little perplexed by that sudden delivery.]

I -- y-yes, take your time.

[rainsrespite]

[Inside is about twenty dollars. Yuuna takes her time sketching though, pen moving quickly and accurately. Art's not a specialty, but she's practiced enough to make a decent copy.]

[wise_maiden]

[Raine steps back to give Yuuna space, watching for a few minutes before taking a quick peek into the envelope and blinking again at the... absurdity of it really, but then goes back to waiting patiently for her to finish.]

[rainsrespite]

[And when it's finished, she puts down the pen and slides the photograph back to Raine.]

Thanks. That's all done.

[wise_maiden]

Thank you. [She carefully puts the photograph back to where she was keeping it.]

And you're certain about this? [She gestures to the envelope.]

[rainsrespite]

Of course. We pay for information, and this is information.

[wise_maiden]

... I see.

[Not the pie she expected. She nods, carefully pocketing the envelope. Something to think on, in any case.]

And when would be a good time for me to check in with you again?

[rainsrespite]

Let's say next week. I'll have taken care of that last bit of surveying and been back in Union a day or two by then. I'll probably leave tomorrow or the day after, but if you need something, give me a call on the Warp Band.

[She's definitely curious, and she'll be returning with a real troublesome Pokemon. Thanks Raine-bama]

[wise_maiden]

... All right. [She gives her a small bow this time, with a step back toward the door. A little disappointing to the Pikachu, who wanted to socialize, but he knows that motion.]

Thank you again for looking into this. If there's anything else you need from me, feel free to contact me in that way as well.

[rainsrespite]

No problem at all. I'll do just that.

[Really, she will. Yuuna knows a valuable resource when she sees one, and another researcher? And with that foreign accent? Oh, you bet she will.]